The UN Independent Investigation in Burundi (UNIIB) on Tuesday stated their grave concern about the current human rights situation in Burundi. The group found, "abundant evidence of gross human rights violations," which they believe could amount to crimes against humanity by the government of Burundi and people associated with it. Among the calls for international action, …

Thailand's Bangkok South Criminal Court found British labor rights activist Andy Hall guilty of criminal defamation and violating cyber crime laws on Tuesday. The charges came about after Hall published Cheap Has a High Price, a report on labor abuse in the fruit canning sector. The 2013 report focused on a Natural Fruit Company Ltd. [corporate …

Former Serbian paramilitary commander Dragan Vasiljkovic went on trial for war crimes Tuesday in Croatia's Split Court. Dragan is accused of torturing and murdering civilians and prisoners during the Croation War for independence. Some of the crimes of which he is accused include crimes of aggression that resulted in the destruction of …

Gabon's Ambassador to the US said [NYT op-ed] Monday that ballots from the contested presidential election will be recounted in the coming days. The election results sparked days of protests and outrage when it was announced that incumbent President Ali Bongo Ondimba won by less than 10,000 votes. The ambassador stressed that election was …

The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Monday ruled that Rowan County Commissioners in North Carolina may open public meetings with prayer. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and ACLU of North Carolina brought the suit in 2013 on behalf of three Rowan County residents who were alleging that the opening …

California Governor Jerry Brown on Monday signed Senate Bill 1383, which sets new state goals for cutting pollutants like methane, hydrofluorocarbons and soot, also referred to as black carbons. While comparing the fight against climate change to Noah's ark, Brown said that reducing this "short lived" climate pollution will help the battle. The purpose …

Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik stated to the press on Monday that there will be referendum for Bosnian Serbs regarding a disputed holiday in their autonomous region. The referendum will take place [RFE/FL report] on September 25 and will ask residents of the Srpska region if the mini-state's statehood day should remain on January 9. This vote defies a ruling …

UN representatives stated Monday that the organization needs access to Syrian refugees in order to better document war crimes. The remarks were made during an interactive dialogue between the UN Human Rights Council and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry, noted …